Agriturismo
Finding Italian Inspiration in Upstate New York
The Beardslee Homestead is an active farm that offers farming and farm-to-table experiences, including cooking classes, as well as weddings, banquets, and summer camps.
Our on-site Masseria Distillery and Winery in the historic Hop House showcase the rich heritage of Italian and American liqueur and winemaking.
With two miles of beautiful river front, a swimming pool, gym and sauna, bocce, a wood-fired pizza oven, a tavern, distillery, and winery, The Beardslee Homestead brings Italian-style Agriturismo to Upstate New York.
We are a small sustainable AgriResortTM, if you will!
An Italian Agritourism Experience in the Heart of Upstate New York
When I was growing up, my father worked for Italian companies. We were very fortunate that every few years he had enough miles to fly our family to Europe. No matter how different our destinations were, one thing remained constant—part of the trip focused on agriturismo. My father believed that staying in farms, villas, and vineyards would give us more insight into the history and culture of the country than staying at more conventional hotels.
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One year, my father found a remote 500 year old farm in the bread basket of Sicily, and we stayed there for a month. This trip to the country side of Italy became one of the most memorable and formative experiences of my life. The estate’s gently rolling fields and valleys of golden wheat were peaceful and serene; the views are still etched in my mind. The farm with its endless miles of views and history was more beautiful than anything I’d ever seen. The owners allowed my brothers and sisters and me to pick fresh ingredients for our daily meals, and the chef allowed us to help him cook. It was truly a magical experience that years later inspired my father to buy a farm in Upstate NY and inspired me to want to work in agritourism.
Our beautiful and historic farm is reminiscent of our Italian farm stays. The main farmhouse dates back to the 1780’s; in fact, a 2007 study by Cornell's tree ring laboratory indicates the oldest portion of the house was built using trees planted in the 1600’s. The property has many farm buildings and barns perfectly situated for bed-and-breakfast rooms, farm-to- table outdoor dining, and various agricultural family experiences like I experienced in Sicily. We have apple and pear trees, a young vineyard, other fruits, and herbs as well as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. On the property there is also a fully restored 1860 hop house and museum of old farm equipment, now on the National Register of Historic Places, well-positioned to take advantage of the hops revival for craft beer. The Undadilla River is ideal for fishing, kayaking, swimming, and hiking. All of these things have the qualities to give other families the same unforgettable and unique memories and experiences the farm in Italy gave to my family and me.
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CLAUDIA GRECO
Senior
Cornell University Nolan School of Hospitality
Director of Hospitality, The Beardslee Homestead
A Note on Sustainability at Beardslee
For 225 years The Beardslee Homestead has contributed to the agricultural production of New York State--from wheat and other grains to apples and pears from corn for cows to hops for craft beer, herbs, and grapes. We do not use commercial fertilizers or even irrigation equipment--everything is watered by rain or well water alone. We have used Sevin to treat for invasive insects like Japanese Beetles and Bonide to treat fruit trees and grapevines at bud-break, but we are looking for alternative, organic treatments. Sustainable practices mean smaller production, but smaller production means more intimacy and connection with nature. Our 100% pure, raw, unfiltered, and organic honey is available for purchase. So are our blue and green as well as brown and white chicken eggs, duck eggs, and turkey eggs.
Read more about our Culture of Sustainability by clicking on the articles below, written by our Director of Sustainability Cecilia Greco, B.S. in Sustainability, San Diego State University, now a policy analyst and writer at C3, a non-partisan environmental strategy group in Washington, D.C.
